Sitting of Thursday, 8 May 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1748426168056758 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening - Parliament Met at 9.30 a.m. 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers - Tabling of Annual Reports and Documents 9 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural - Interjections on Order of Business 8 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) 28 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions: Foreign Official Visits by Former President (Q.5/2024) and Follow-up Questions 16 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Currency Printed/Minted Since 2015 (Q.9/2025) 16 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) 21 speeches
- 9 Procedural Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters 58 speeches
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), challenged the Government’s adherence to IMF-related economic policies despite its election pledges to renegotiate a stronger programme. He sought detailed answers on possible electricity tariff increases, the abolition of SVAT and its impact on exporters and SMEs, taxation of foreign digital service providers, and whether these measures stem from IMF conditions. He also asked about protections for vulnerable consumers, senior citizens’ deposit interest rates, withholding tax on children’s accounts, and the process for issuing TINs to those over 18.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined government responses on fiscal and tax administration matters, stating that electricity tariffs will continue to follow IMF-agreed cost-recovery procedures, with the CEB and PUCSL handling the next revision. He explained plans to replace SVAT with a risk-based VAT refund mechanism, including backlog clearance, added Inland Revenue Department capacity, and 45-day refund payments for eligible exporters, including SMEs meeting the export threshold. He also detailed VAT application to cross-border digital services from 1 June 2025, a senior citizens’ fixed deposit interest support scheme from July to December 2025, withholding tax rules and relief procedures for minors, and ongoing TIN issuance through online, regional office, and bulk registration methods.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Deputy Minister’s claim that electricity tariff increases were not linked to IMF conditions, citing an IMF statement of 29 April 2025 referring to prior actions on electricity cost-recovery pricing and the automatic price adjustment mechanism. He argued that delays to the EFF tranche were connected to these conditions and asked the Government to clearly acknowledge that proposed tariff increases arise from commitments under the IMF agreement, tabling the relevant document.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning rejected the Opposition Leader’s claim that his earlier answers were contradictory, stating that Sri Lanka had agreed with the IMF to implement a cost-recovery method in line with existing systems and procedures. He also clarified that IMF tranche disbursement follows a formal sequence from Staff-Level Agreement to Executive Board consideration and decision, and said characterizing the timeline as a delay was inaccurate.
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan began to address the Chair but was interrupted before making any substantive remarks. No policy position, proposal, or question was recorded in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake objected to being prevented from asking a supplementary question under Standing Order 33(1), arguing that the rule permits any Member to ask up to two supplementary questions arising from an oral answer. He said that after the original questioner declined to ask a second supplementary, he should have been allowed to do so, and requested that Members be treated with more respect in exercising their right to ask questions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahman objected to a statement or interpretation in the proceedings, saying it was incorrect. He clarified that the relevant wording refers to “Any Member.”
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake objected to being denied the opportunity to ask supplementary questions after the original Member declined to do so. He urged the Chair and relevant ministers to show greater respect to Members and to uphold the procedure allowing two supplementary questions on a parliamentary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow Hon. Ajith P. Perera to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a procedural point on parliamentary questioning, stating that the Member who asks an original question is entitled to two supplementary questions. He argued that another Member may ask a supplementary only with the original Member’s consent, citing this as established practice in both Government and Opposition contexts.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake briefly called on Hon. Mujibur Rahman to proceed with asking his question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman argued that Standing Order 33(1) on ordinary oral questions allows only the original questioner to ask up to two supplementary questions and does not expressly require that Member’s consent for others to do so. He contrasted this with Standing Order 38(7) on questions to the Prime Minister, where the consent requirement is explicitly stated, and maintained that applying such a requirement to ordinary oral questions is not supported by the Standing Orders.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake addressed the procedure for oral questions under Standing Orders 31, 32 and 33, emphasizing that supplementary questions are limited to the Member who placed the original question unless that Member consents to another Member asking one. He argued that this restriction preserves the scope of the original question and protects the rights of the Member who submitted it. He urged adherence to the Standing Orders and to the Chair’s rulings where parliamentary practice is involved.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised a point of order. No further substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake requested the Speaker to allow members from his side to speak during the proceedings.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB
AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that a second supplementary question may be asked by another Member only with the consent of the Member who posed the original question. He argued that, absent such permission, the Standing Orders do not provide for another Member to proceed with the supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or issue was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka objected to the handling of a supplementary question, arguing that Ravi Karunanayake, as a senior Member, should have been allowed to ask a second related supplementary after the original Member indicated he would ask only one. He said denying that opportunity without checking consent was unfair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Ravindra Bandara clarified that, in relation to Standing Orders 33(1) and 37(1), he had stated he would ask only one supplementary question.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ravindra Bandara
AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara raised a procedural objection regarding the handling of a supplementary question, citing Standing Orders 33(1), 37(1), and 34(2). He argued that “not more than two” supplementary questions permits a Member to ask only one, that the Speaker has authority to disallow improper questions with written reasons, and that questions should not become a pretext for debate. He expressed disappointment that another supplementary question was asked on his behalf despite his stated intention to ask only one.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a Point of Order after being named, arguing that consent for a supplementary question can be given verbally or by conduct. He contended that, after the first supplementary question was asked without objection, Hon. Ravi Karunanayake was effectively permitted to ask the second, despite later claims that only one question was intended.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake raised a Point of Order urging that the House move to the main Business by 11.30 a.m. and seeking clarification from the Secretariat on the application of Standing Orders regarding Supplementary Questions. He stated that only the Member who asked the original Question may ask Supplementary Questions and referred to a prior ruling on the matter, while also making a political criticism of the UNP and SJB’s electoral performance in Municipal Councils.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to a Supplementary Question being asked by a Member other than the one who posed the original Question, without that Member’s consent. He challenged the Secretariat to identify any precedent for such a practice and requested that the matter be handled in accordance with Standing Orders 32 and 33.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised a Point of Order disputing a claim that the Standing Orders require the consent of the Member who asked the original Question before another Member may ask a Supplementary Question. He argued that while this may be a long-standing practice, it is not explicitly provided for in the Standing Orders, and requested that the Chair verify the matter with the Secretariat rather than relying on the Leader of the House’s assertion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake cited Standing Order 33(1) to argue that Supplementary Questions must remain within the scope of the original Question and that even the original questioner cannot go beyond it. He stated that another Member may ask a supplementary only with the original Member’s consent and subject to the Chair’s decision, and said the dispute could have been avoided if such courtesy had been observed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Faiszer Musthapha raised a Point of Order concerning Standing Order 33(1), arguing that while a Member may ask two supplementary questions, the Standing Orders do not prohibit another Member from asking them if the original questioner does not. He contended that, under the legal principle that what is not prohibited is permitted, the Chair should object only where an express violation exists.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about lands in the North and East, describing them as critically important. The intervention appears to introduce or emphasize issues relating to land in those regions, but the provided excerpt is too brief to identify any specific proposal, demand, or policy reference.
Land & Housing Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to raise a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Clarified that the issue being discussed was not the matter he intended to raise, indicating it was a separate question or concern.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a matter under Standing Order 92(2) concerning the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, after the live telecast of his speech was suspended under a prior Speaker’s order. He questioned why privilege complaints he said he had submitted against Bimal Rathnayake, the Speaker, and a Minister had not been taken up, and alleged that he had been denied an opportunity to have them considered.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna responded to an allegation that he had lied regarding Sasthika Arulingam, stating that he had already presented the matter to Parliament. He cited Section 22(2) of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, arguing that insults covered under Parts A or B of the Schedule constitute a serious breach of parliamentary privilege under Section 190 of the Penal Code.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had submitted a Privilege matter three times and rejected an offer of a public apology from the Government side. He questioned what further recourse was available, including whether he should approach the Supreme Court or international forums, and asked whether a Tamil Member was being denied the right to raise a Privilege issue.
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake denied that his side had agreed to make a public apology and rejected allegations of discrimination against Tamil, Sinhala, or Muslim people. He said any Privilege issue raised by the Member should be investigated through proper procedure, and requested that the Secretariat inform the Chair if such a complaint had been submitted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake asked that the Chair obtain a direct clarification from the Secretary-General on whether any relevant communication had been received. He argued that a clear procedural response would prevent the matter from being unnecessarily prolonged.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had submitted three letters. No further details, context, or requests were provided in the recorded speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said that three letters had been submitted and criticized remarks made both inside and outside the House. He requested the Secretariat to formally inform the House and provide clarifications on the matter, emphasizing that proceedings should not be disrupted without cause.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that, regardless of any wrongdoing or punishment involving the Member concerned, a privilege issue submitted to the Secretary-General should be allowed to be raised in the House. He said the matter could then be referred to the relevant Committee, and if the original letter was not received, the Member should be cautioned to resubmit it so the issue can be concluded procedurally.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- 10 Procedural Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance 13 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural - Committee Matter and Staff Notice; Bills Presented 7 speeches
- 12 Debate Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles 105 speeches